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Friends of Libraries & Archives of Texas Board Meeting
Texas State Archives and Library Building, Room 314
Austin, Texas

President Patrick Heath called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m.

1. Welcome and Introductions
The eleven members attending introduced themselves and told a little about their backgrounds.

2. Approval of the minutes
The minutes of July 22, 2002 were approved. Gleniece Robinson motioned, and Carol Lovelady seconded.

3. President's report
Patrick asked Peggy to tell about what has been accomplished with the $4,500 donation from the Friends to the Texas State Library. Peggy noted the Convict Ledgers microfilming is finished and is very popular. Erica reported that the computer kiosk that was approved at the same time was not researched sufficiently. It has been discovered that the actual cost for a computer kiosk is several thousand dollars.

There was much discussion about different kinds of kiosks and information services for the lobby of the state library. Some ideas included printing a "gallery guide" for using the collections of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission; installing a traditional literature kiosk in the lobby; installing a regular Internet-connected computer in lobby; staffing the lobby with a reference librarian; training the guards or volunteers to provide computer assistance in the lobby. Patrick ended the discussion on this topic due to time restraints and asked the state library to put together a proposal with the suggestions that were presented and bring it back to our next meeting in February 2003.

4. Committee reports
The treasurer's report was handed out in the packet. The balance on hand is $11,141.21.

Membership:

JoAnne Moore, membership chair, reported that we have 77 members now. We need to increase our membership. There was a lot of discussion on how to do that. Some ideas: people want to be part of something that is "going"; what can we offer members that we already have? i.e., some knowledge or resource, or perhaps something related to our collections; work something out with TLA so that people who join TLA can also join us for an additional small amount; illustrate what a membership does. For example, $30 will buy food for one month for one child. What does a Friends membership provide?; bring the Friends to the regional level. It was suggested that each board member bring in 5 new members. Patrick asked JoAnne to bring some additional ideas to the next meeting. All ideas are welcome.

Friends board members attended many of the TLA district library meetings this fall. Membership applications were made available to the attendees.

5. Other new and old business
Peggy reported that she was called as an expert witness in a library lawsuit. The law firm donated $500 to the Friends.

6. Strategic Planning
The two short-term goals are:

1. Building our group membership-strength.
2.Turning outward-helping the state library.
(on a separate sheet we have listed the many suggestions that were given toward helping us to realize our goals. These will be discussed at our next meeting).

It was also suggested to begin holding regional meetings (get-acquainted meetings) around the state to build membership and interact with local friends groups. It was suggested to hold two such meetings in 2003, and three such meetings in 2004.

Mary McAfee was appointed communication committee chair. The program and events chair is still vacant. We will appoint a chair for that committee at the next meeting. A suggestion was made to add a Publicity Committee. The current committees are Membership, Board Development, Program and Events, and Communication.

8. Adjourn
Patrick adjourned the meeting at 3:50.

Submitted:
Mary McAfee, Secretary

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